| Your first thought when you read "Alligator Farm" | | | | leaves, so your shots may look cluttered. Look for |
| might be "tourist trap," but that could not be more | | | | opportunities to photograph the birds while on top of |
| inaccurate. And while the alligators are wonderful and | | | | the bushes or where the background bushes are dark |
| plentiful at the place fondly referred to as the "Gator | | | | and full. Another approach is to zoom in tight so that |
| Farm," it is the birds that attract the world's best | | | | your shot eliminates those intruders.Take advantage of |
| photographers.The birds come each spring to the | | | | the photographer's hours in the morning and evening. |
| Gator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida, naturally. The | | | | These times offer the best light and the other |
| gators keep tree-climbing prey away from the birds' | | | | photographers are mindful of your purpose. Once the |
| babies. While the gators sometimes hit the trees with | | | | public arrives, which often includes groups of children, |
| their tails to knock eggs out of the nests, the birds | | | | the boardwalk shakes a bit as tourists walk by. They |
| know that their babies' odds for survival are much | | | | rarely linger for long, however. Most of the birds nest |
| better around the gators than without them.The Gator | | | | on the east side of the boardwalk, so your best |
| Farm is home to a variety of bird species, including | | | | photographic opportunities are in the afternoon. Also, |
| Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Roseate Spoonbills, Ibis, | | | | many birds return to their nests at the end of the day, |
| Great Blue, Tricolor, Black-Crowned and | | | | so you can catch flight shots then, too.The major bird |
| Yellow-Crowned Heron, and Wood Stork. The birds fly | | | | activity generally begins in March. While the nesting |
| out of the area to collect sticks for nest building, pass | | | | season varies every year, chicks usually begin to |
| them to their mate, build their nests, lay their eggs, and | | | | arrive in April. By late May, you'll capture many of the |
| feed their young. You can photograph all of this activity | | | | different phases at once since the various bird species |
| to document their life-cycle story.Round out your | | | | have different nesting calendars. Many of the birds are |
| photography visit to the Gator Farm with a variety of | | | | gone by June or July, but this year the activity is still |
| other animals. The Farm is home to every living | | | | going strong into the summer months.Additional |
| species of crocodilians in the world, including the 15-foot | | | | InformationThe Gator Farm website is and is chock full |
| long "Maximo" and some albino gators. You'll also see | | | | of great information. It includes two "webcams" located |
| several different types of monkeys, toucans and | | | | in the rookery to get a glimpse of the bird activity. The |
| parrots, and various other mammals. Don't miss the | | | | Bird Rookery Yahoo Group provides up-to-date |
| feeding show usually at noon and 3:00 where the | | | | information on bird activity at the Gator Farm and the |
| gators gobble some Brazilian River Rats -- they crunch | | | | area. Information on how to sign up is available on the |
| like popcorn.Background and DirectionsThe Farm is | | | | Gator Farm website. Amanda Whitaker, the Gator |
| about an hour south of the airport in Jacksonville, | | | | Farm manager, monitors the group and provides |
| Florida. It is located at 999 Anastasia Boulevard, also | | | | additional helpful information. We are indebted to |
| known as Highway A1A, just across the Bridge of | | | | Amanda for continuing to provide a wonderful place to |
| Lions, in St. Augustine. Specific driving directions are | | | | photograph the birds.In sum, the Gator Farm provides |
| available on the Gator Farm website at Farm began in | | | | one of the most convenient, comfortable and exciting |
| 1893, when two men started collecting alligators on | | | | places to photograph a variety of birds and their |
| Anastasia Island. It soon became a tourist attraction | | | | activities. Hurry to catch the action there this year, and |
| and the rest is history, literally (the Alligator Farm is | | | | make plans to spend time there each year from now |
| listed on the National Register of Historical Places).The | | | | on. You won't be disappointed.MISCELLANEOUSThe |
| daily entrance fee for adults in 2005 is $17.95, and the | | | | Gator Farm is clean, well-maintained and provides |
| Farm opens to the public at 9 am. You can buy an | | | | great access to the animals. The snack bar on site |
| annual photography pass for $59 to get in precisely at | | | | sells a good variety of snacks and drinks. Restrooms |
| 8 am through the side red door. Don't be late, or you'll | | | | are located next to the snack bar and by the |
| likely have to wait until 9 am. The pass also is your | | | | entrance.Lodging in St. Augustine is relatively |
| entrance fee to the Farm's annual photography | | | | expensive, but is available throughout the area. Some |
| contest.The park officially closes at 6 pm. Many of the | | | | options near the Gator Farm are: Sleep Inn, Anastasia |
| Gator Farm employees take turns staying longer for | | | | Inn, and Scottish Inn. In downtown St. Augustine, your |
| photographers to shoot through sunset. Be sure to tip | | | | options include the Comfort Suites, Days Inn, Hilton and |
| the volunteers generously on your way out, because | | | | Clarion Collection. Since traffic is not a problem, you |
| the employees are not paid by the Farm for the extra | | | | can find viable lodging options on the outskirts of town, |
| time.Shooting TipsThe bird rookery is in a swamp area | | | | as well, including the World Golf Village - home to two |
| perfect for raising bird families. The birds build their | | | | golf courses and the World Golf Hall of Fame.A trip to |
| nests in the surrounding live oak trees or elderberry | | | | the Alligator Farm is fun and safe. The gators are kept |
| bushes. The area is accessed by a long boardwalk | | | | securely behind barricades or swim below the |
| that puts you within feet of some of those nests. | | | | boardwalk, so you don't have to worry about your |
| Because the birds have become accustomed to | | | | being dinner for them. The normal precautions about |
| human visitors, you can get very close. Be sure to give | | | | Florida sun should be followed - wear a hat, use |
| adequate space to the nesting birds, though.You'll need | | | | sunscreen and drink lots of water.The northeast coast |
| a mid to long range telephoto lens to capture the birds | | | | of Florida offers wonderful photography opportunities, |
| on their nests. Lenses in the 400-800 mm give you the | | | | as well. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United |
| best opportunities to photograph the chicks once | | | | States, and is decorated with beautiful Spanish |
| hatched. The fastest focusing lenses in the range of | | | | architecture. Additional good bird photography spots |
| 100-400mm will allow you to grab flight shots.Your | | | | are scattered throughout the area - check Anastasia |
| biggest shooting challenge will be to get a clean | | | | State Park next door to the Gator Farm and Merritt |
| background. The birds nest amongst the branches and | | | | Island in Titusville, Florida.Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. |